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phils95cobra
Guest
I am a 37 y/o male, 6' 2" tall, about 300 pounRAB. I have had Degenerative Disc Disease from about age 22. It started out with an occasional sharp shooting pain in my back while I was in the Navy. Of course, the "doctors" in the Navy kind of ignored the problem for about 3 years, just saying I had tight hamstrings and gave me 800mg motrin like it was candy. I was discharged from the Navy with a 10% disability in 1998 with a diagnosis of DDD and herniation of the L5 disc pressing on the S1 nerve root.
Fast forward, over the years, the pain got worse and started to involve my left leg. The pain was not all the time, I would have episodes where my back and leg would hurt for a few weeks at a time, then subside. These episodes were spaced far apart, but the time between them got shorter and shorter. Fast forward even more to the moment. My last MRI showed the L4-L5 disc ruptured and seriously pushing on the S1 nerve root. I consulted with a VA / Duke University Med Center Neurosurgeon who recommended a Hemi-Laminectomy to relieve the pressure on the S1 Nerve.
Without question, I am scared. I have never really considered surgery as an option, even though I had tried pretty much everything else. The pain in my back is the worst, but it all starts to hurt when sitting. My leg gets very uncomfortable and 'aches' all the way down the back. Sometimes, it is like a 'catching' type of pain where a certain movement will cause a catch and massive pain in back and shoot down my left leg. When I am bending over, say like when I have to work on my car, straightening up is very hard. Transitioning from sitting to standing takes a about 10 seconRAB before I can really walk, but standing still (for short perioRAB), and walking feel the best.
My question and dilemma is the surgery. Should I do it? I know they cannot promise complete relief, or any for that matter, but the doc felt confident that it would help. They want to do the Hemi-Laminectomy to maintain the structural integrity of my Lurabar spine.
What should I ask the doctor prior to surgery if I elect to have it? Am I too young for this type of surgery? I am afraid I will wake up in more pain than I had.
Any info or suggestions are helpful and welcome...
Thanks
Fast forward, over the years, the pain got worse and started to involve my left leg. The pain was not all the time, I would have episodes where my back and leg would hurt for a few weeks at a time, then subside. These episodes were spaced far apart, but the time between them got shorter and shorter. Fast forward even more to the moment. My last MRI showed the L4-L5 disc ruptured and seriously pushing on the S1 nerve root. I consulted with a VA / Duke University Med Center Neurosurgeon who recommended a Hemi-Laminectomy to relieve the pressure on the S1 Nerve.
Without question, I am scared. I have never really considered surgery as an option, even though I had tried pretty much everything else. The pain in my back is the worst, but it all starts to hurt when sitting. My leg gets very uncomfortable and 'aches' all the way down the back. Sometimes, it is like a 'catching' type of pain where a certain movement will cause a catch and massive pain in back and shoot down my left leg. When I am bending over, say like when I have to work on my car, straightening up is very hard. Transitioning from sitting to standing takes a about 10 seconRAB before I can really walk, but standing still (for short perioRAB), and walking feel the best.
My question and dilemma is the surgery. Should I do it? I know they cannot promise complete relief, or any for that matter, but the doc felt confident that it would help. They want to do the Hemi-Laminectomy to maintain the structural integrity of my Lurabar spine.
What should I ask the doctor prior to surgery if I elect to have it? Am I too young for this type of surgery? I am afraid I will wake up in more pain than I had.
Any info or suggestions are helpful and welcome...
Thanks